Sports

Pleasanton Pitching Coach Helped Bring Home the Gold From Baseball World Cup

Jason Sekany was part of USA Baseball, which turned a group of 18 great players into an amazing team in a matter of days to win the IBAF 12U Baseball World Cup in Taipai City over the summer.





By Autumn Johnson 

Six months was all the time Pleasanton's Jason Sekany and other coaches had to scour the United States little league baseball fields to create the dream team representing the United States in the IBAF 12U Baseball World Cup in Taipai.

The six months was clearly enough as the team, comprised of 18 kids, brought home the coveted gold medal from the Baseball World Cup in July. 

The 12-year-old players met each other for the first time on July 12 to practice for just two games before flying around the world to compete against 14 other teams, according to Sekany.

A righty from the Tri-Valley, Sekany, who played for the Boston Red Socks and the Cincinnati Reds, owns The Pitching Center in Pleasanton and has been coaching kids for years. 

[Related article: Sprouts & Shutters: The Pitching Center, Kangaroo Hopped to Town and Loss of Rockhouse]

"We had to turn a group of really great players into a team in a matter of days, then get over there and compete," Sekany commented.

As the pitching coach for USA Baseball, the team representing the United States in Taipai at the IBAF 12U (12 and under) Baseball World Cup for 2013, Sekany said having the opportunity to go to Tapai as the representatives of the United States was incredible.

"We had a Sergeant Major from Camp Pendleton in Oceanside talk to us about wearing the flag on our uniforms," Sekany said. "We are the only non-military brand who gets to wear the flag as a symbol of going into battle. The Sergeant Major talked to us about being the best and representing our country. A lot of us were inspired by that. We fight the way we know how in baseball— the way the military does in serving."

Sekany reflected on the cultural differences of how baseball is taught and played in other countries. 

"One of the customs was that the teams would all meet prior and exchange and gift before the game and have a sportsman-like handshake," Sekany said, adding, "When a team lost, it did not feel hostile. It was supportive."

According to Sekany, the Baseball World Cup is highly respected and celebrated in Tapai City, where the teams play in the 12,000 seat, professional Tianmu Stadium packed with fans. The 12U Baseball World Cup website says the games were sold out this year.

Team USA beat Japan in the semifinals, going on to defeat the host and defending champion team of Taipai in the finals in an 8-1 win.

One of the coolest things for Sekany about the experience? Watching the players, who all stayed at the same hotel, socializing together despite language barriers or cultural differences.

"Seeing all of the kids interact with each other, seeing them learn to communicate with each other," Sekany said. 


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